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Air cargo security is constantly evolving. The latest regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) require that, by June 30 2021, all air cargo on international all-cargo flights be screened at the same level of scrutiny given to cargo flying on passenger planes.

Therefore, freight forwarders such as �ļ�ֱ�� must adapt to find ways to screen air cargo safely and efficiently. While X-Ray technology, Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), and physical screenings can be used to help ensure the safety and security of air cargo, these processes can be inefficient as the cargo must be screened at an individual piece level. This requires palletized cargo be taken apart, screened, and put back together, which can slow down a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) and add unnecessary labor and time to the screening process. While technology still serves a purpose, one of the most effective and efficient ways to screen cargo has a fur coat, four paws, and a powerful nose.

For years canines have been used as a part of the passenger-cargo screening process due to their natural ability to identify individual odors and their source. With over 300 million sensory receptors in their nose, the canines can use their powerful sense of smell to serve as bio-sensors to detect the presence of explosives.  If a threat is detected, the dog alerts its dedicated handler to assess the cargo further.  

Due to this powerful sense of smell, the canine teams can add efficiency to the cargo screening process by screening cargo that is too big for machine screening. Furthermore, the canine teams can screen palletized cargo without the cargo having been taken apart to screen, therefore cutting the cargo screening process from hours to minutes. This minimizes the potential for backlogs and delays, all while maintaining freight integrity from start to finish.

Behind these amazing dogs is the company Global K9 Protection Group. They ensure each canine and handler team is well trained and able to pass the TSA certification each year which allows them to provide screening in a variety of environments. Sommer Sampson, �ļ�ֱ�� USA Corporate TSA PSC (Primary Security Coordinator), notes “We have been extremely pleased with Global K9‘s unparalleled customer service.  We are a happy client and look forward to our continued working relationship with their team as the ICAO mandate approaches!”

As we move towards meeting the requirement of screening 100% of international all air-cargo flights, we are thankful for our canine friends who help us ensure that air cargo is screened efficiently without sacrificing security.

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Over the course of the past few years, �ļ�ֱ�� Chicago has been one of the fastest growing and top performing branches within the global �ļ�ֱ�� organization. Then, in March 2020, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting disruptions threatened to derail the results and momentum: the culmination of many years of hard work.  Business continuity, especially consistency in high levels of customer service, was always goal number one, but shifting an entire office staff to a virtual work environment overnight while ensuring the safety of essential warehouse personnel was an incredible challenge.

While the immediate challenge was met head on, and successfully so, by the entire �ļ�ֱ�� organization, anxiety regarding the lingering economic impacts of the pandemic was ever-present. The challenge was now how does �ļ�ֱ�� adapt to a global industry that had essentially changed overnight.  Based on the feedback of customers, �ļ�ֱ�� invested immediately into an own-controlled flight network with additional adhoc charter space to inject much needed air capacity on key trade lanes.  Due to its strategic geographic location, warehouse, and airport infrastructure, Chicago became the US hub for both the trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flight operations.

In one month’s time, the uncertainty had begun to fade and the excitement about a new direction was taking hold.  By the end of April 2020, the Chicago branch had transformed from a successful large local branch into a key strategic global gateway servicing the entire �ļ�ֱ�� network.  This held its own challenges and many lessons were learned from issues that arose, but every challenge was met with hard work, determination, and an eye towards the future.  

Over the following months, a continual drive to find efficiencies and improve the process and structure around the flight operations was a central focus.  The �ļ�ֱ�� Chicago team knew that this would ultimately bring value to their customers while offering a differentiator in the market for future growth.  Efficiencies in the warehouse were implemented in order to accommodate incredible volume growth in a limited space.  Warehouse efficiencies resulted in faster turn-around times from flight arrival to final-mile delivery. High performing staff were given opportunities to grow into newly created gateway leadership roles, while no less than six other promotions within the branch were executed.  New high-level talent was recruited and on-boarded that will one day grow into the future leaders within the Chicago branch and beyond.

In March of 2021, the annual USA Executive/Branch Manager meeting was held virtually.  As a result of their incredible performance and impact to the �ļ�ֱ�� global network over the course of a most challenging year, it was announced that Chicago was named the �ļ�ֱ�� USA Branch of the Year for 2020.  In the same meeting, it was announced that �ļ�ֱ�� Chicago would be expanding its footprint with plans to acquire additional warehouse space in the Chicago area in the very near future.  These two announcements illustrate what has made �ļ�ֱ�� Chicago a true success story: utilizing the success of the past to invest in the future.    

In the face of all challenges, thanks to the continued dedication and innovation of team members, �ļ�ֱ�� Chicago is able meet the needs of their customers.  Especially over the last year, it is more apparent than ever, at �ļ�ֱ��, people make the difference!

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�ļ�ֱ�� Worldwide, the global freight forwarding services provider headquartered in Atlanta, GA, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Tigers Limited, a freight forwarding and supply chain management company headquartered in Hong Kong.

Marco Rebuffi CEO of �ļ�ֱ�� Worldwide says “We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of Tigers and welcome these new clients and talented colleagues to �ļ�ֱ�� Worldwide. We look forward to the new opportunities which have been created by the combined resources of our larger organization”.

The transaction allows �ļ�ֱ�� Worldwide to further reinforce its freight forwarding activities, and to broaden its service offering to omni-channel supply chain logistics.

About �ļ�ֱ��

�ļ�ֱ�� was founded in 1978 in Milan, Italy. Over the last four decades, �ļ�ֱ�� has grown from regional roots to a global force in freight forwarding. Today, �ļ�ֱ�� covers 90+ countries with 335 offices and official agents and has over 4,000 employees globally.

About Tigers

Tigers has developed a suite of tech-enabled integrated logistics services, from freight forwarding to omni-channel supply chain management, for corporate clients around the globe. Tigers operates through 70 offices in 10 countries, including 32 state-of-the-art omni-channel distribution hubs, and has 935 employees.

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�ļ�ֱ�� Brazil completed five charter flights for an automotive customer, successfully delivering more than 200 tons of parts and equipment.

This 5-day operation from pickup to delivery involved many members of the �ļ�ֱ�� team, including air specialists and import and export specialists. To distribute the heavy load safely, the cargo was divided between three chartered aircraft: a Boeing 777, a Boeing 767-300F, and an Airbus A339-900. This expertise of the team ensured a safe and successful, on-time delivery for the happy �ļ�ֱ�� customer, once again demonstrating that at �ļ�ֱ��, people make the difference.

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Mais 5 Charters finalizados com sucesso!

A �ļ�ֱ�� Brasil, realizou com tempo recorde um embarque em 5 etapas carregando mais de 200 toneladas de peças e equipamentos do setor Automobilístico. Da coleta na origem ao ponto final de entrega foram 5 dias de operação, envolvendo nossos especialistas e analistas aéreos da �ļ�ֱ��. Para distribuir bem esse peso, a carga foi dividia em  cinco aeronaves sendo três Charter Boing 777, um Boing 767-300F e  um Airbus A339-900 próprios para cargas pesadas os quais cumprem com excelência, agilidade e segurança para garantir a entrega ao cliente!

A Equipe �ļ�ֱ�� Brasil opera com charter semanais  , para as rotas de  Shanghai, Hong Kong e Frankfurt.

Conte com a �ļ�ֱ�� para otimizar os seus processos logísticos!

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�ļ�ֱ�� is continuing to grow with the addition of Vivian Brunialti as the new Trade Lane Director for APAC x LATAM.

Brunialti has over 20 years of experience in the freight forwarding and logistics industry, working for important global logistics providers as well as shippers, with a particular focus on Asia and the high tech sector.

She will be based at Campinas, Brazil (office) and from there she will be supporting the 9 �ļ�ֱ�� Latin American subsidiaries.

In her role she will be responsible for the overall growth of this extremely important trade lane, working in very close coordination with the product (both air and ocean), sales, and overseas colleagues.

At �ļ�ֱ�� people make the difference, and �ļ�ֱ�� is excited to welcome Vivian to the �ļ�ֱ�� family.

On May 13th, 2021 �ļ�ֱ�� Uruguay organized three air charters from Montevideo to Guatemala.  �ļ�ֱ�� offers routine flight operations to many key trade-lanes utilizing the extensive �ļ�ֱ�� network of air gateways. These gateways along with the teams’ expertise in the air market, enabled �ļ�ֱ�� Uruguay to find and create the best possible combination of locations for the freight to travel through to reach its destination.

The project had to be coordinated very quickly, as the customer required the cargo to be delivered within 7 days of placing the request with �ļ�ֱ�� to find a solution. �ļ�ֱ�� immediately began working and coordinating with LATAM Cargo, the carrier of �ļ�ֱ��’ choosing to handle this delivery. The LATAM Cargo operational team has worked with �ļ�ֱ�� in the past and has always provided the best accommodations possible. Strong relationships with carriers such as LATAM Cargo are a part of what gives the �ļ�ֱ�� team the ability to achieve seemingly impossible tasks, with accuracy and efficiency.

The charter was organized using a B767-300 freighter, which is the more fuel-efficient of the medium-widebody freighters available currently on the market. The aircraft departed the MVD airport in Uruguay at 22:30 HRS after having the loading operation supervised by the �ļ�ֱ�� Uruguay team. The �ļ�ֱ�� team coordinated the cargo drop off, documentation, receipt at the terminal, labeling & repacking, compliance checks, and loading procedures, all while providing the customer with real-time updates and tracking of the departures and arrivals via satellite follow-ups once the cargo was in the air. The air charter then arrived at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala on Friday the 14th at 06:02 HRS local time.

The last 2 charters included an average of 48 tons per flight. Each flight containing both hazardous and non-hazardous materials that required IATA DEG regulation labeling and repack work for the extra protection of the cargo. �ļ�ֱ�� can evaluate and handle all different types of HAZMAT materials in compliance with IATA regulations. �ļ�ֱ�� is also not limited to dangerous goods or general cargo and regularly handles perishable goods and pharma products that require temperature control.

With �ļ�ֱ��' expertise in both air charters and hazardous goods transport, the customer knew they could turn to �ļ�ֱ�� to accomplish their goals. �ļ�ֱ��’ team of experts can ensure the safe, efficient, and successful arrival of a variety of goods through the extensive �ļ�ֱ�� network. �ļ�ֱ�� knows that people make the difference, and �ļ�ֱ�� Uruguay's success is another testament to that slogan.

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Under the best of circumstances, supply chain management can be a complex process. It can be even more complicated during the tropical storm season when the risk of monsoons, typhoons, and hurricanes peaks. These tropical storms create high winds and flooding, disrupting and delaying freight transportation, which can potentially cause supply chain failures and revenue loss. While severe weather is not something that can be controlled, there are several ways that you can ensure a resilient supply chain and minimize potential disruptions.

1. Know How to Prioritize Your Freight: The severe weather associated with tropical storms can shut down ports and airports. When they do open back up, capacity and may be limited, and there may also be extensive backlogs. By knowing what freight is most important, you can help prevent further disruptions downstream.  
2. Plan for Inventory Disruptions: During the peak of tropical storm season, it can be wise to plan for additional inventory to be on hand if your supply chain is disrupted due to significant port and airport closures and delays.  
3. Watch the Weather: Taking a proactive approach to monitoring the weather during tropical storm season is vital. It allows you to stay well-informed of impending severe weather that might impact shipment delivery. While forecasts change at a moment’s notice, it is essential that you are aware of the weather forecast and any precautionary measures taken locally, such as port and airport closures and shelter-in-place orders.
4. Utilize Technology to Increase Supply Chain Visibility: In the event of severe weather, maintaining supply chain visibility and real-time access to information about paused and canceled shipments is vital. By maintaining supply chain visibility, you can more easily identify potential problems, allowing you to make early and informed decisions that can help keep your supply chains running smoothly.
5. Maintain a Line of Communication: When severe weather occurs, it is important to maintain a clear line of communication with your service providers. This means ensuring that your provider knows which cargo is of the highest priority and giving as much warning as possible about a needed shipment as canceled flights and closed ports can delay shipment and reduce capacity.

With tropical storm season upon us, it is important to be prepared for whatever disruptions severe weather might bring. Whether it is developing a contingency plan long before severe weather hits or rerouting cargo and utilizing air cargo options when severe weather occurs, �ļ�ֱ�� can help keep your supply chain running smoothly. To make sure you are ready for the upcoming season, contact your local �ļ�ֱ�� office.

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